Enlarge Photo

Where to go Next: Nikoi, Indonesia

“We had discovered a totally untouched, unspoiled paradise,” an Indagare member raved about this private Indonesian island resort that has yet to show up on the map of even the savviest of travelers. Owned and run by an Australian couple, Nikoi is all about far-flung seclusion—with a lot of style. Guests stay in thatched, two-story bungalows decorated with gorgeous fabrics and hammocks; if you’re traveling with the kids, you can get bungalows that connect via an elevated wooden walkway. The beaches are long and empty (no more than fifty guests can stay on Nikoi), the food is ultra-fresh, and days are a mix of lounging and activity, including sailing, diving and al fresco massages.

Culinary New York: Cook with Chefs

Indagare Connoisseur members who dream of learning from the city’s greats should mark their calendars: in late October, Relais & Châteaux hosts a Culinary Festival at its recently opened Maison, an elegant space in Midtown with a state-of-the-art open kitchen. Haute cooking demonstrations will be headed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, White Barn Inn chef Jonathan Cartwright and Daniel pastry chef Dominique Ansel. To get a sense of the experience, read a member postcard about spending time in the kitchen with Chef Tony Aiazzi at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole restaurant, again thanks to Relais and Chateaux. Also inspiring is Cook with Class, the private lessons led by Chef Rob Endelman who teaches you new tricks in your own kitchen (he will organize interactive cooking parties as well). And if you prefer to leave the slicing, dicing and serving to the pros, call Bite, headed by supremely talented chef Scott Skey, the caterer-du-jour for the fashion world (yes, they do eat if the food is exquisitely presented).

Indagare Insider: Istanbul

Turkey’s buzzing contemporary cultural scene is a relatively new phenomenon—the Istanbul Modern, for instance, didn’t open until 2005—but now that Istanbul will serve as the European Capital in 2010, a flurry of activity is under way (and hotel companies are certainly betting on a large turn-out: the Four Seasons, for instance, recently opened a second property, right on the Bosphorus). To make sense of the emerging art landscape —and market—you need a cultural translator like plugged-in art consultant Isabella Icoz, who can open doors and grant behind-the-scenes access. “Istanbul is ever-evolving,” says Icoz, who was born in London and studied in Switzerland. “To fully appreciate all that it has to offer, you have to constantly be on your toes.” Read Icoz’ city suggestions and thoughts on the contemporary art scene.

This Month’s Dream: Cavallo Point

Expectations ran high when the owners of Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn —the property that redefined luxe serentity when it debuted in 1992—announced the opening of a sister resort in the heart of Golden Gate National Park. According to one Indagare member, the brand-new Cavallo Point lives up to the hype. “Upon arrival, my wife and I were told that our stay would be all about discovery: opening one’s eyes and experiencing life’s riches,” he writes. “It was easy to do in this setting.” Sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay area can be seen from almost all the guest rooms, which were built with the environment and sustainability in mind. The centerpiece is the 11,000 square-foot Healing Arts Center & Spa (above), which offers a huge variety of treatments and wellness programs, including acupuncture, nutritional consultations and meditation.

Holiday Availability: Last-Minute Openings

Those who have been procrastinating with their Christmas plans, need not worry: there are still some great properties left. To help you, we’ve pulled together a list of places with availability, whether you’re seeking sun (Caribbean, Mexico, Arizona), snow (Jackson Hole, Mégève, Whistler), exotic (Botswana, Chiang Mai, Peru), or urban style.

New on Indagare: An in-depth destination report on the Cotswolds a fashion designer’s favorite places in Auckland and a member’s review of Zanzibar’s gorgeous Mnemba Island Lodge. Plus: Liz Lange on Capri and a member postcard on exploring Sicily.